Does the Minister accept that the rates support grant is now the main source of revenue for local authorities for most services? Will local authorities be notified of the rates support grant and is it proposed to have these estimates published before the commencement of the year for which they applied?

At present the Government are considering Estimates for all Departments. The Taoiseach indicated that this procedure will be completed before the end of the year. I cannot say when I will be in a position to indicate the level of rates support grants.

Surely the Minister should be able to notify local authorities of the amount of the rates support grant before the end of the year?

I will be in a position to do so before the end of the year.